Integral hinge and torque rod

ABSTRACT

An integral hinge and torque rod includes a pair of oppositely extending generally U-shaped hairpin portions whose first ends respectively terminate in a common generally U-shaped bight portion that extends transversely of the hairpin portions. The respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminate in respective generally offset portions that include respective aligned pintle portions and respective mounting portions. Body and lid mounted members include pairs of aligned apertures respectively adjacent the hairpin portions and laterally spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the pintle portions. The rod is deflected to allow lateral outward movement of the offset portions and subsequent lateral inward movement to respectively move the pintle portions within the spaced pairs of aligned apertures respective the hairpin portions and the mounting portions into lateral engagement with the body mounted member to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions and to hold the rod against bodily shifting movement with respect to the body. The open and closed ends of the bight portion respectively engage portions of the lid mounted member to bias the lid toward open position. In an alternate embodiment, the second ends of the hairpin portions overlap each other and the pintle portions are respectively received within the opposite pairs of aligned apertures respective the hairpin portions.

United States Patent Gergoe 51 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] INTEGRAL HINGE AND TORQUE ROD [72] Inventor: Bela Gergoe, Detroit, Mich.

[73] Assignee: General Motors Corporation,

Detroit, Mich.

[22] Filed: Sept. 9, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 70,633

[52] US. Cl ..296/76, 16/180 [51] Int. Cl. ..B62d 25/10 [58] Field of Search ..296/76; l6/180, 192, 128.1

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,067,453 12/1962 Lyons 16/180 3,250,585 5/1966 McQuarrie et al. ..16/ 180 1,430,029 9/ l 922 Rhodes ..16/180 2,670,872 3/1954 Olesky ..16/ 192 3,211,494 10/ 1965 l-lusko ...296/76 Primary ExaminerBenjamin Hersh Assistant Examiner-John A. Pekar AttorneyW. E. Finken and Herbert Furman [57] ABSTRACT An integral hinge and torque rod includes a pair of oppositely extending generally U-shaped hairpin portions whose first ends respectively terminate in a common generally U-shaped bight portion that extends transversely of the hairpin portions. The respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminate in respective generally offset portions that include respective aligned pintle portions and respective mounting portions. Body and lid mounted members include pairs of aligned apertures respectively adjacent the hairpin portions and laterally spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the pintle portions. The rod is deflected to allow lateral outward movement of the offset portions and subsequent lateral inward movement to respectively move the pintle portions within the spaced pairs of aligned apertures respective the hairpin portions and the mounting portions into lateral engagement with the body mounted member to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions and to hold the rod against bodily shifting movement with respect to the body. The open and closed ends of the bight portion respectively engage portions of the lid mounted member to bias the lid toward open position. In an alternate embodiment, the second ends of the hairpin portions overlap each other and the pintle portions are respectively received within the opposite pairs of aligned apertures respective the hairpin portions.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEBnma m2 3.695.678

I INVENTOR.

TORNEY 1 INTEGRAL HINGE AND TORQUE ROD This invention relates to an integral hinge and torque rod that is snapped into an assembled position.

It is well known to provide an integral hinge and torque rod that pivotally mounts a vehicle body compartment lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions and also biases the lid toward open position.

This invention provides an integral hinge and torque rod in which the rod is snapped into an assembled position to provide a rapid and economical installation of the rod and the compartment lid.

One feature of this invention is that it provides an integral hinge and torque rod that is deflected to allow lateral movement of pintle portions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement of the pintle portions to within spaced pairs of aligned apertures in body and lid mounted members. Another feature of this invention is that it provides mounting portions adjacent the pintle portions and laterally engageable with the body mounted member to hold the rod against bodily shifting movement with respect to the body.

These and other features and objects of this invention are apparent from the following specification and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a vehicle body withv a compartment lid mounted thereon and biased toward open position by an integral hinge and torque rod according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of another embodiment of the rod.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vehicle body generally indicated at includes a rear window 12 and a rear compartment opening 14 that is selectively and alternately opened and closed by a rear compartment lid 16 that is mounted on body 10 as will be later described.

Referring additionally now to FIG. 2, adjacent the forward edge of opening 14, a plate 18 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to body 10. Plate 18 extends laterally of body 10 and includes upstanding ears 20 adjacent the ends thereof. Ears 20 include respective apertures 22 which are aligned with respective apertures 24 in ears 25 of a plate 26, that is welded or otherwise suitably secured to compartment lid 16, to thus provide laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures 22 and 24. Compartment lid 16 is mounted on body 10 for movement between open and closed positions and biased toward the open position of FIG. 1 by an integral hinge and torque rod generally indicated by 28. Rod 28 includes oppositely extending generally U-shaped hair pin portions 30 respective and adjacent the spaced pairs of aligned apertures 22 and 24. After installation, as will be described, the outer ends of hairpin portions 30 are secured to compartment lid 16 by suitable clips 32. Respective first ends of the hairpin portions 30 terminate in a common generally U-shaped bight portion 34 that extends transversely of hairpin portions 30. The respective second ends of hairpin portions 30 terminate in respective generally offset portions 36. Offset portions 36 include pintle portions 38 respectively received within the spaced pairs of aligned apertures 22 and 24 respective hairpin portions 30, and mounting portions 40 which laterally engage cars 20, as will be described.

To mount compartment lid 16 on body 10, opposite lateral forces are applied to the offset portions 36 to deflect rod 28 and move the pintle portions 38 away from each other. The pintle portions 38 are then aligned with apertures 22 and, upon a subsequent release of the lateral forces, move toward each other through apertures 22. The movement of pintle portions 38 toward each other also causes mounting portions 40 to engage the outer sides of ears 20 to thus bodily fix the rod 28 with respect to the body 10. The compartment lid 16 with the-plate 26 mounted thereon is then moved toward the installed position and each of the offset portions 36 is moved in one direction laterally outboard of body 10 and subsequently in the opposite direction laterally inboard such that the pintle portions 38 respectively move through the spaced pairs of aligned apertures 22 and 24 respective hairpin portions 30. Flange portions 42 of ears 20 are then bent over mounting portions 40 to prevent subsequent lateral outward movement of pintle portions 38. The'compartment lid 16 is then freely movable between closed position and open position in which stops 44 engage a flange 46 of plate 26 to prevent further opening movement thereof. As viewed from the left side of body 10, the bight portion 34 of rod 28 is then rotated clockwise and the closed end thereof is inserted within an aperture 48 of flange 46. The bight portion 34 then provides a counterclockwise couple to plate 26, as viewed from the left side of body 10, to thus bias compartment lid 16 v toward the open position in which stops 44 engage flange 46.

FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment in which like portions are shown by primed numerals. Rod 28 is similar to rod 28; however, the second ends of the hairpin portions 30' overlap each other such that the pintle portions 38' are received within the opposite pairs of aligned apertures 22 and 24' respective the hairpin portions 30. Rod 28' thus supplies less of an opening bias to lid 16 than rod 28 for a given diameter rod.

The invention thus provides an integral hinge and torque rod which is snapped into the assembled position.

What is claimed is:

l. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartment opening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures, an integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of hairpin portions having respective first ends terminating in a common bight portion, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminating in respective aligned pintle portions spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the pintle portions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement within the apertures to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions, and means for holding the pintle portions of the torque rod against rotational movement relative to one of the members to allow the bight portion to engage the other member and bias the lid toward open position.

2. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartment opening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures, an

integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of hairpin portions extending laterally outboard from the pairs of aligned apertures in generally opposite directions, the respective first ends of the hairpin portions terminating in a common bight portion, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminating short of each other in respective aligned pintle portions spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the pintle p'ortions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement within the apertures to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions, and means for holding the pintle portions of the torque rod against rotational movement relative to one of the members to allow the bight portion to enposition.

3. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartment opening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures, an integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of hairpin portions extending laterally outboard from the pairs of aligned apertures in generally opposite directions, the respective first ends of the hairpin portions terminating in a common bight portion, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions overlapping each other and terminating in respective aligned pintle portions spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the pintle portions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement within the apertures to pivotally I gage the other member and bias the lid toward open mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions, and means for holding the pintle portions of the torque rod against rotational movement relative to one of the members to allow the bight portion to engage the other member and bias the lid toward open position. I

4. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartmentopening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterallyspaced pairs of aligned apertures, an integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of op positely extending generally U-shaped hairpin portions having respective first ends terminating in a common generally U-shaped bight portion extending transversely of the hairpin portions, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminating in respective generally offset portions including respective aligned pintle portions and respective mounting portions, the pintle portions being spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the offsetsportions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement moving the pintle portions within the spaced pairs of aligned apertures and the mounting portions into respective lateral engagement with the body mounted member to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions and to hold the rod against bodily shifting movement with respect to the body, and flange means for holding the offset portions of the torque rod against rotatio nal m vement relative to the body mounted mem er to a low the bight portion to engage the lid mounted member and bias the lid toward open position.

* t I I 

1. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartment opening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures, an integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of hairpin portions having respective first ends terminating in a common bight portion, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminating in respective aligned pintle portions spaced from each other substantially thE same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the pintle portions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement within the apertures to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions, and means for holding the pintle portions of the torque rod against rotational movement relative to one of the members to allow the bight portion to engage the other member and bias the lid toward open position.
 2. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartment opening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures, an integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of hairpin portions extending laterally outboard from the pairs of aligned apertures in generally opposite directions, the respective first ends of the hairpin portions terminating in a common bight portion, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminating short of each other in respective aligned pintle portions spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the pintle portions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement within the apertures to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions, and means for holding the pintle portions of the torque rod against rotational movement relative to one of the members to allow the bight portion to engage the other member and bias the lid toward open position.
 3. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartment opening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures, an integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of hairpin portions extending laterally outboard from the pairs of aligned apertures in generally opposite directions, the respective first ends of the hairpin portions terminating in a common bight portion, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions overlapping each other and terminating in respective aligned pintle portions spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the pintle portions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement within the apertures to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions, and means for holding the pintle portions of the torque rod against rotational movement relative to one of the members to allow the bight portion to engage the other member and bias the lid toward open position.
 4. The combination comprising, a vehicle body having a compartment opening, a compartment lid for closing the opening, body and lid mounted members including laterally spaced pairs of aligned apertures, an integral hinge and torque rod including a pair of oppositely extending generally U-shaped hairpin portions having respective first ends terminating in a common generally U-shaped bight portion extending transversely of the hairpin portions, the respective second ends of the hairpin portions terminating in respective generally offset portions including respective aligned pintle portions and respective mounting portions, the pintle portions being spaced from each other substantially the same distance as the distance between the spaced pairs of aligned apertures, the rod deflecting to allow lateral movement of the offset portions in one direction and subsequent opposite lateral movement moving the pintle portions within the spaced pairs of aligned apertures and the mounting portions into respective lateral engagement with the body mounted member to pivotally mount the lid on the body for movement between open and closed positions and to hold the rod against bodily shifting movement with respect to the body, and flange means for holding the offset portions of the torque rod against rotational movement relative to the body mounted member to allow the bight portion to engage the lid mounted member and bias the lid toward open position. 